To consider the report of the Lead Member for People – Communities,
Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety

Minutes:

The Lead Member for People – Communities, Partnerships,
Public Protection and Community Safety submitted a report (HCCS/60/18s) to
advise Members of concerns raised by the Welsh Language Commissioner in the
form of an investigation into failures regarding non-compliant signage and how
Wrexham County Borough Council are addressing the concerns.

Presenting the report the Lead Member apologised for the
errors that had occurred and assured the Committee that the Council was fully
committed to complying with the Welsh Language Standards.He further reported that the Council’s new
chief executive had given an assurance to the Welsh Language Commissioner that
all Council departments would comply with the requirement and spirit of the
Standards.

Expressing concern at the errors that had been made, the
Committee considered the report and discussed each enforcement action,
referring to the following matters in debate:

Officers confirmed that
the database of signage erected was being developed and assured the
Committee that the Council was fully aware of the need to ensure that all
signage, both permanent and temporary, complied with the requirements of
the Standards.

Officers reported that
appropriate processes were in place in relation to the translation of
signage, however improvement was required in respect of the checking
procedure.The Committee were
advised that all signage was now required to be checked by the Welsh
Language team but noted that this team had limited resources.

Clarification provided in
respect of the differences between the requirements of the Welsh Language
Scheme established in 1996 and the current Welsh Language Standards.

Members were asked to
provide any examples of incorrect signage to the relevant officer outside
of the meeting.

Reported that new guidance
had been made available to staff to raise awareness of the requirements of
the Standards in relation to signage.In addition, an action plan had been developed.

Suggested that the current
arrangements for translation with Conwy Council could be reviewed to
ensure that it still provided value for money.

The budgetary implications
of non compliance with the Standards.

Suggestion that Community
Councils could be invited to contribute by reporting signs in their areas
which are not compliant with the Welsh Language Standards (2016).

Confirmed that
sub-contractors were advised of their requirement to comply with the
Standards and all contracts had been updated accordingly.

Noted that a new Council
website was currently under development and this would be complaint with
the Standards.

Noted that the report to
the Welsh Language Commissioner would include more information.

The Welsh Language should
be normalised and not just considered as a requirement.The Lead Member assured the Committee
that it was the intention for the Welsh Language to be part of the culture
of the Council.

Clarification requested as
to the process to be followed if the Welsh Language Commissioner was not
satisfied with the Council’s response to its Enforcement Actions, and
whether the Commissioner would publish the Council’s response.The Officer agreed to check and to
update Members after the meeting.

AGREED –

(i)That the Committee support the work
undertaken to ensure the Council meets the Welsh Language Standards and the
proposed response for the Welsh Language Commissioner.

(ii)That the Committee receive a further report
be submitted in 6 months regarding the Council’s compliance with the Welsh
Language Standards, and that the report include reference to the number of
reports of non-compliance under investigation by the Welsh Language
Commissioner together with details of any budgetary implications and penalties.